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The announcement on Saturday afternoon that Liverpool had dismissed Arne Slot came as a surprise – not because it was an incorrect decision, but because few believed the club would actually take that step. After enduring one of the weakest Premier League title defences in recent memory, Liverpool supporters had lost faith not only in the coach but also in the club’s leadership.

In the days leading up to Liverpool’s final match of a disastrous campaign, rumours circulated suggesting Slot’s future at Anfield was in jeopardy. However, those reports were quickly dismissed by journalists close to the club’s hierarchy.

Following the disappointing draw against Brentford that barely secured Champions League qualification, Slot spoke optimistically about the transformative potential of the upcoming transfer window, implying he expected to remain in charge. In reality, Liverpool’s media allies were simply echoing the club’s stance that Slot deserved more time to turn things around. But the overwhelming frustration among fans, combined with the findings of the club’s internal season review, left the board with no choice but to part ways with the manager who had won the league in his debut season.

No answers

In the coming days, many pundits will likely argue that Slot was treated harshly and that his 2024-25 title triumph has been undervalued. However, the real question is not whether he should have been dismissed, but whether the decision should have come sooner.

It’s understandable that Richard Hughes and his team wanted to show loyalty to their manager. Yet, since November, it had been clear that Slot had no solution to halt Liverpool’s alarming decline into mediocrity. During one of the club’s poorest runs in over 70 years, he repeatedly diagnosed his team’s problems but failed to implement meaningful solutions. Defensive lapses on set pieces persisted, and Liverpool’s vulnerability to counterattacks remained glaring. The performances showed no sign of progress.

Falling standards

In the latter stages of a catastrophic season, it became evident that the dressing room morale had collapsed. Mohamed Salah was not the only unsettled figure. Local talent Curtis Jones barely celebrated what could be his final goal for Liverpool against Brentford, while captain Virgil van Dijk sat dejectedly on the Anfield turf, seemingly unable to comprehend how quickly the team had unravelled since their league triumph.

It’s important to acknowledge that the squad was deeply affected by the tragic death of teammate Diogo Jota the previous summer – a devastating loss that Slot handled with dignity. However, as Alexis Mac Allister noted, Jota’s passing could not serve as an excuse for Liverpool’s poor performances throughout the season.

Soft touch

Slot’s team appeared incapable of adapting to the Premier League’s physical demands. As they squandered points and endured a constant stream of injuries, Liverpool looked mentally fragile and physically exhausted. They became, in the words of former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, “an easy team to play against” – the side struggling teams looked forward to facing.

Unfortunately, Slot could do nothing to reverse that trend, making his dismissal inevitable. Had he been retained, Liverpool risked enduring another wasted season – much like Manchester United under Erik ten Hag – after missing the chance to replace him with Xabi Alonso in January.

Emotion over evidence

When Liverpool lost to Bournemouth on January 24, following four consecutive league draws, Alonso was available, having been dismissed by Real Madrid just 12 days earlier. Critics argued that calls to replace Slot with Alonso were impulsive reactions from impatient fans. Many emphasised that Liverpool were not a club known for sacking managers, particularly those who had recently won a title. Slot, it was said, still had credit in the bank and had given supporters unforgettable moments.

Yet emotion should never outweigh evidence. Fans, whether in the stands or watching from home, could clearly see that Slot had lost his way. He either needed significant support in the winter transfer window or to be replaced – but the club hesitated, allowing the season to deteriorate into a predictable and disappointing ending.

Out of patience

Despite securing Champions League football, Liverpool only did so thanks to the Premier League’s additional qualification spot. By the penultimate home game, it was clear Slot had lost the fanbase. During a frustrating draw with struggling Chelsea, supporters booed his decision to substitute Rio Ngumoha. Slot explained the youngster was suffering from cramps, but the crowd’s reaction revealed they no longer trusted his judgement. Many believed he would rather withdraw his most dangerous attacker than the inconsistent Cody Gakpo.

When Salah publicly criticised Liverpool’s shift away from ‘heavy metal football’ before the Brentford clash – effectively undermining his manager – Slot’s fate was sealed. His authority and credibility were beyond repair.

Missed opportunity

The pressing question now is: what next for Liverpool? Had the club acted earlier, they could have transformed the mood around Anfield by appointing Alonso – a club legend and one of the most promising young tacticians in football. Instead, they delayed, missing the chance to hire a coach capable of maximising talents like Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, both of whom thrived under Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen. This hesitation could prove costly.

The saviour?

All hope is not lost. Despite recent interest from AC Milan, Andoni Iraola remains available, reportedly aware of the potential vacancy at Liverpool. His link to the Reds is logical: Hughes brought him to Bournemouth, where he achieved remarkable success by guiding the club to a sixth-place Premier League finish and their first-ever European qualification – despite losing most of his defensive lineup the previous summer.

Iraola may not share Alonso’s emotional connection with Liverpool, but he is a proven Premier League coach known for maximising limited resources while encouraging an attractive, attacking style of play. For fans weary of uninspired performances under Slot, Iraola could reignite excitement at Anfield.

Liverpool’s supporters were left disenchanted by indecision and poor leadership last season. The owners erred by delaying Slot’s dismissal. Now, they must act swiftly to appoint Iraola and begin repairing the fractured relationship between the club’s management and its devoted fans.